Ainsworth satisfied at taking a point

GARETH Ainsworth was happy to take a point against Aldershot last night but was frustrated at his side's inability to break down ten men.

He hailed an outstanding defensive display from a patched-up back four that featured just one player, Dave Winfield, who was playing in his natural position.

But the caretaker boss felt Blues' attackers - which included himself - should have taken advantage of the struggling Shots having full-back Anthony Tonkin sent off after half an hour.

Ainsworth said: "Sometimes playing against ten men is tough. Dean [Holdsworth, Aldershot manager] was saying 'Camp in deep as you can, two banks of four' - it's not easy to break down.

"When you've got the injuries we've got as well, any point's a good point. Overall I'm pleased with the point, a little bit disappointed about the attacking play. We didn't really show too much, but defending-wise we were outstanding.

"We took 20 minutes in the second half to work out they had ten men and started using our extra man.

"When we put it into our centre forwards' feet, they have to hold it up and they weren't doing that. I was one of them. If they don't hold it up you can't get runners off them.

"If you asked me before the game, a 0-0 away from home after the 4-1 and 3-1 before that, it stops the rot and it's another clean sheet.

"When you look at the details of the game, with them having ten men, you do feel a bit disappointed."

But Ainsworth was full of praise for his makeshift back four that featured midfielders Stuart Lewis and Sam Wood at full-back and Charles Dunne out of position at the heart of the defence.

Goalkeeper Jordan Archer also kept his side in the game with an incredible triple save midway through the first half.

Ainsworth said: "I've got a central midfielder at right back, a left winger at left back and a left back at left centre half, and it's tough.

"Dave Winfield was immense again. He's come in and made a real case for the shirt - if you play well, you'll keep your place. I thought he was terrific, Charles playing out of position did well, Sam Wood's learning new things and Stuart Lewis at right back has done an awesome job. The back five has got us a point."